Cal Poly softball closes out Mustang Classic with two victories

Cal Poly Wins Twice During Sunday Finales of Mustang Classic

The Cal Poly softball team won both of its games on Sunday to close out the annual Mustang Classic with a 4-2 mark during the three-day tournament. The Mustangs started the day with a 6-5 win over Northern Illinois before coming from behind to edge Sacramento State 2-1 at Bob Janssen Field

During Sunday's second victory against Sacramento State (12-6), the Hornets struck the opening blow during the top of the first inning with catcher Kortney Solis singling down the left field line to plate shortstop Yesenia Alcala. The Mustangs (9-16-1) were limited to two hits during the opening four innings by Sacramento State starting righthander Taylor Stroud (3-3) before breaking through in the fifth. With two down and sophomore pinch runner Emily Ceccacci on second base, Mustang junior second baseman Ashley Romano deadlocked the scoreline at 1-1 by dropping a run-scoring single down the right field line. Romano advanced to second on the play following a throwing error from Hornet first baseman Alyssa Vanderdrink before scoring the decisive run through junior third baseman Jillian Andersen's single through the right side of the infield.

Sacramento State threatened Mustang starting lefthander Chloe Wurst by loading the bases with two down in the top of the seventh. However, Wurst - who struck out three Hornets - induced a game-ending pop up from Sacramento State right fielder Paige Martin.

During Sunday's opening victory against Northern Illinois (6-12), Cal Poly - highlighted by a two-run base hit from Romano and a run-scoring double from junior designated player Celina Lafrades - scored four times during the bottom of the second to cement an early lead.

Lafrades struck again in the fifth with a double to left field that plated Westlund for a 5-0 Mustang advantage.

The Huskies found two runs during the top of the sixth through first baseman Jennifer Barnett's two-run single, but Cal Poly furthered its lead to 6-2 in the bottom half of the inning after freshman first baseman Breana West singled through the left side of the infield to score Andersen.

Northern Illinois shortstop Amanda Sheppard helped the Huskies rally by swatting a two-out, three-run homer in the seventh, but Wurst - back on in relief after starting Sunday's opener - forced a game-ending groundout from left fielder Nicole Gremillon to end the matchup.

Wurst earned both victories on Sunday to improve to 6-6-1 in 2013.

Cal Poly completes Big West Conference preparations when visiting CSU Bakersfield for a 12 noon doubleheader on Sunday, March 17.